Perinthus

Coordinates: 40°58′15″N 27°57′16″E / 40.97089°N 27.95454°E / 40.97089; 27.95454
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Perinthus is located in The Aegean Sea area
Perinthus
Perinthus
Location of Perinthus.

Perinthus or Perinthos (

Propontis. According to John Tzetzes, it bore at an early period the name of Mygdonia (Μυγδονία). It lay 35 kilometres (22 mi) west of Selymbria and 90 kilometres (56 mi) west of Byzantium, on a small peninsula[3] of the bay which bears its name, and was built like an amphitheatre, on the declivity of a hill.[4] Its site is near modern Marmara Ereğlisi, in Turkey.[5][6]

History

It was originally a Samian colony,[7][8] and, according to George Syncellus, was founded about 599 BC.[9] German archaeologist Theodor Panofka, however, makes it contemporary with Samothrace, that is about 1000 BC.[10] It was particularly renowned for its obstinate defence against Philip II of Macedon.[11][12] At that time it appears to have been a more important and flourishing town even than Byzantium and being both a harbour and a point at which several main roads met, it was the seat of extensive commerce.[13] This circumstance explains the reason why so many of its coins are still extant from which we learn that large and celebrated festivals were held here.[10] After the fourth century AD it assumed the name of Heraclea or Heracleia (Ἡράκλεια);[14] which we find sometimes used alone, and sometimes with additions Heraclea Thraciae and Heraclea Perinthus.[13][15]

Justinian restored the old imperial palace, and the aqueducts of the city.[13] Coins of Perinthus have also survived, which were studied by Edith Schönert-Geiß.[16] The inscriptions from Perinthus and the literary testimonia on the city have been collected by Mustafa Hamdi Sayar.[17]

Cityscape

The peninsula and acropolis were complemented by the landward lower city and its walls, some remains of which have been found.

Other notable places include the 5th-century basilica which in its architecture seems to be closely linked to the church designs of Constantinople. The floor mosaics are particularly well made and preserved.

Stone from the

University of Heidelberg think the church might have stood for no more than perhaps 150 years. It was never rebuilt and instead replaced with a small chapel. [18]

See also

References

  1. ^ Ptolemy. The Geography. Vol. 3.11.6, 8.11.7.
  2. ^ Xenophon. Anabasis. Vol. 7.2.8.
  3. ^ Pliny. Naturalis Historia. Vol. 4.18.
  4. ^ Diodorus Siculus. Bibliotheca historica (Historical Library). Vol. 16.76.
  5. .
  6. ^ Lund University. Digital Atlas of the Roman Empire.
  7. ^ Marcian. A Periplus of the Outer Sea. p. 29.
  8. ^ Plutarch. Qu. Gr. p. 56.
  9. ^ George Syncellus. Chronicle. p. 238.
  10. ^ a b Public Domain Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Perinthus". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.
  11. ^ Diodorus Siculus. Bibliotheca historica (Historical Library). Vol. 16.74-77.
  12. ^ Plutarch. Phoc. p. 14.
  13. ^ a b c Procopius. de Aed. p. 4.9.
  14. Tzetzes
    . Chil. p. 3.812.
  15. Historia Philippicae et Totius Mundi Origines et Terrae Situs. p. 16.3.; Eutrop. p. 9.15.; Amm. Marc. p. 22.2.; Itin. Ant.
    p. 175, 176, 323.
  16. ^ Schönert-Geiß, Edith (1965). Die Münzprägung von Perinthos. Berlin: Akademie-Verlag.
  17. ^ Hamdi Sayar, Mustafa (1998). Perinthos-Herakleia (Marmara Ereğlisi) und Umgebung. Geschichte, Testimonien, griechische und lateinische Inschriften. Wien: Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften.
  18. ^ "Marmara Ereğlisi".

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainSmith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Perinthus". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.

40°58′15″N 27°57′16″E / 40.97089°N 27.95454°E / 40.97089; 27.95454